A Guide to Choosing Nails, Screws, and Bolts for Different Materials

A Guide to Choosing Nails, Screws, and Bolts for Different Materials

In any home improvement, DIY, or construction project, the choice of fasteners plays a critical role. Selecting the proper nails, screws, and bolts for the appropriate task ensures ease of installation and structural integrity of the work. But the choices are many and understanding the nuances between each type of fastener is essential for achieving the best result. This guide will clarify how to select the proper fasteners and provide an overview of their application for various materials and project requirements. For further clarification, visit Notre Dame Castle – our team is happy to help!

The Nuts and Bolts

Nails, screws, and bolts come in a variety of shapes and sizes for a plethora of functions and uses. There are more varieties than we can explore here, but we will review the most common types.

Nails

Nails are the original fastener. They are a simple and cost-effective means of fastening wood, though they generally offer less holding power than other fasteners. There are a variety of types for different applications.

Framing Nails

Framing nails are used in structural wall framing and other construction applications. They are ideal for quick and cost-effective fastening of dimensional lumber. Framing nails come in two forms: common (smooth shank) and spiral for additional holding power. The brite type is best used indoors, but there is a galvanized type for exterior applications. Some variants are compatible with pneumatic nail guns for projects that require a lot of nailing.

Finishing Nails

Finishing nails are small nails with a round, bulbous head. They are designed for finishing work like trim and moulding installations. The small head prevents splitting and cracking when set into the workpiece. Finishing nails are best used with softer materials like pine and poplar, but can also be used with harder woods if predrilled.

Brad Nails

These aren’t your typical nails in look and function. Brad nails are specifically designed to work with pneumatic Brad nail guns. They come in several thicknesses, called gauges, with a corresponding nail gun. Colloquially known as ‘brads,’ they are used primarily for finish work like crown moulding, baseboard, and other trim applications.

Screws

Screws provide a similar solution to nails in building applications but with the added benefit of increased holding power. The presence of threads along their shank gives screws the ability to grab into the material they are inserted into. Screws have an additional advantage over nails in that they can be easily removed, making them suitable for projects that require disassembly. Screws also provide greater control over nails, making them easier to use in awkward places or at odd angles.

Types of Screws

Construction

Probably the most widely used screw, construction screws are a great multipurpose screw that excels when used with conventional framing lumber. They are best used indoors, as they can rust.

Probably the most widely used screw, construction screws are a great multipurpose screw that excels when used with conventional framing lumber. They are best used indoors, as they can rust.

Deck

Deck screws are almost identical in form and function to construction screws, except for the notable difference of a protective coating for exterior use. They are usually coloured, making them compatible with pressure-treated lumber.

Drywall

These are specific fasteners for installing sheets of drywall. They are black with a Philips head and have two thread types: coarse and fine. Coarse threads are for wood framing, and fine threads are for metal. Drywall screws come in various sizes, starting at 1” and maxing out around 3”.

Masonry

These screws are designed specifically for brick, block, and concrete. They are usually coated blue, have a thick shank, and come with a dual hex-slot head. Masonry screws are used in conjunction with a hammer drill and appropriate-sized masonry bit to predrill a pilot hole for the screw.

Bolts

Bolts are heavy-duty fasteners used in load-bearing applications. Their size and durability make them ideal for structural projects. They have a hex-shaped head, which requires a wrench or socket to install. Most varieties are used with a corresponding nut and washer. They have a dull point and almost always need an appropriate-sized predrilled to insert the bolt into.

Here are some common bolts in use:

Carriage

Carriage bolts are fine-threaded bolts with a round head and square neck. The round head allows them to be driven into predrilled holes with a hammer, while the square neck keeps the bolt from rotating when tightened with a nut and washer. These bolts are used in framing projects with access to either side of the workpiece. For example, in structural framing, carriage bolts are used to sandwich – or ‘sister’– numerous framing members together to create sturdy beams and posts. Holes are drilled through all members at specific intervals with bolts inserted through each hole. The framing is tightened with nuts and washers on each bolt from the opposite side.

Lag

Lag bolts, aka lags, are a lot like a large screw, except they have a hex head and thick shank. They are used in structural projects where a framing member needs to be attached to a surface without access from behind. For example, in deck building, lag bolts are used to attach ledger boards to the exterior of the structure being built against. Unlike carriage bolts, which require a nut and washer and access to both sides of the workpiece, lag bolts are used when only one side of the workpiece is accessible. As such, lag bolts have a coarse thread that bites into the material inserted into them. Lags can also be used with masonry, with the addition of a metal sleeve called a shield.

Hitting the Nail on the Head

Understanding the characteristics and applications of nails, screws, and bolts is essential for achieving optimal results for your home improvement and DIY projects. Each type of fastener has its unique purpose, offering varying degrees of holding power and compatibility with different materials. This topic is immense, and we only scratched the surface in this guide, so be sure to stop into Notre Dame Castle for more help with selecting the proper nails, screws, and bolts for your project.